La chica de ayer

Spanish premiere of the local version of Life on Mars was yesterday on TV. Cinematography and art direction are good, not in 16:9 format yet, but not cheesy. It looks like it has had some supervision from the original producers of the British version.

Some unbelievable things like a Policeman could have as official car an Alfa Romeo Giulia. In 1977 imported cars were extremely expensive, even a non-expensive, in the rest of Europe, car as the Giulia, was very expensive in Spain due to taxes on imported cars. It would have been more believable for 1977 a Seat 128, a Seat Sport 1430. If the condition was a 4 door sedan a Chrysler 150, or a Chrysler 180 even though it was a high class car.

Terrace houses were very uncommon in 1977 in Spain , so the initial shots in such houses when police is going to arrest the criminal, looks like Spanish production has imitated British one without having in mind working class used to live in flats.

Besides this acting is very bad, even for great actors as Ernesto Alterio. They don't believe a word of their roles. Antonio Garrido looks younger than Ernesto Alterio. The script is the same one than UK premiere slightly adapted to Spain, but slow and boring.

I have had the pleasure of watching the first four episodes of "La Chica de Ayer", a successful adaptation of the popular BBC Series, "Life on Mars". In my opinion, this is by far one of the top ten TV Shows of Spanish Television History.

It is extremely hard to judge a show that has been adapted from such a fantastic series as "Life on Mars" (especially since the duration of each episode is perhaps too long in the Spanish version), but what I have seen is a perfect translation into Spain's 1977 and a show that has a life of its own.

The recreation of the 70's is simply remarkable: the Art Direction, Cinematography, Costumes even the music is fantastic. I have never seen a Spanish Series so carefully directed (except perhaps for "Cazadores de Hombres") in recent years and the cast is simply outstanding.

Most might think Ernesto Alterio's performance (as Samuel Santos) is a bit over the top, but I think he has created a unique yet realistic arch for his character, as I have seen so far. Perhaps, too well crafted to be appreciated in the small screen. Antonio Garrido as Chief Inspector portrays the typical Spanish Cop from the Seventies in a performance that grows in every episode. Manuela Velasco is simply outstanding as Ana, Samuel's love interest in 1977, and she reminds a little bit to those characters played by her aunt, Concha Velasco, in the early Seventies. The supporting cast is also sensational, Cris and Rai, played by Javier Rey and Mariano Llorente make a hysterical couple.

In a nutshell, "La Chica de Ayer" is a memorable show full of suspense, wit, sci fi, drama, comedy and action. A rare combination in Spanish TV of good story, great cast and amazing production values. If you can watch it, you won't regret it.